UNICEF India Youth Advocates - Second Cohort
Unnathi Suranaa, Shyam Shukla & Prasiddhi Singh sign up as new advocates for rights of children
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In keeping with UNICEF’s promise to work not only for children but with children and young people in programme and advocacy, listening to children, providing platforms to amplify their views and voices, especially on issues that shape their lives and wellbeing, the growing UNICEF India Youth Advocates Programme announces the addition of three new Youth Advocates to Cohort II.
Advocates are chosen based on their passion for social issues, ability to inspire peers, and potential to be positive role models.
Currently, the UNICEF Youth Advocates network spans over 120 young leaders across regions.
Following a rigorous immersion and selection process, Unnathi Suranaa, Shyam Shukla, and Prasiddhi Singh have accepted the role of UNICEF Youth Advocates, bringing passion and commitment to advancing the rights and causes of children in India.
These remarkable changemakers join the first cohort of Youth Advocates, Gauranshi Sharma, Kartik Verma, and Nahid Afrin, who continue to inspire change for children and young people.
Announcement of the new UNICEF India Youth Advocates 2025
The new UNICEF India Youth Advocates are Shyam Shukla, 15, from Karnataka, Prasiddhi Singh, 13, from Tamil Nadu, and Unnathi Suranaa, 19, from Gujarat. At 13 and 15 years, Prasiddhi and Shyam are the youngest to take on the role.
Shyam Shukla, 15, South Bengaluru, Karnataka
Appointed as a UNICEF India Youth Advocate at 15, Shyam Shukla is a committed voice for road safety and adolescent health, with a strong focus on safer mobility and youth engagement. He has led several road safety workshops and represented young people at the World Health Regional Summit 2024.
As a Helmet Ambassador, Shyam drives awareness on responsible driving and helmet use among youth. He also conceptualized “Project Safe on Roads,” a youth-led initiative focused on preventing road accidents through education, peer outreach, and community engagement.
Shyam has contributed youth perspectives to public health discussions, including a consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. His work reflects a deep commitment to building safer, healthier communities led by informed and proactive young citizens.
On National Youth Day 2026, alongside fellow Youth Advocates, he reinforced a simple message: young people care, believe, and act for change.
Prasiddhi Singh, 13, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu
Appointed as a UNICEF India Youth Advocate at just 13, Prasiddhi Singh is the youngest member of the second cohort and a dynamic environmentalist and social entrepreneur driving climate action. As Founder of the Prasiddhi Forest Foundation, she has led the plantation of over 2 lakh trees across 120+ locations and pioneered micro-forest and climate education initiatives, working towards her mission of planting 10 million trees.
A Child Ambassador for the Green Tamil Nadu Mission and Brand Ambassador for Girl Child Education, Prasiddhi champions environmental sustainability alongside social equity. She has amplified youth voices globally as a speaker at COP28, COP29, and COP30, the G20 Y20, and UN platforms, including serving as the youngest Head of Delegation at UN SB62 in Bonn.
Through her initiatives, she has mobilized over 100,000 youth across 20+ countries and led Green Brigades in 200+ schools. She also contributed to shaping youth perspectives on safe and inclusive AI at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
Unnathi Suranaa, 20, Surat, Gujarat
Appointed as a UNICEF India Youth Advocate at 19, Unnathi, born with Down Syndrome, brings lived experience, resilience, and strong leadership to her work on inclusion. She was awarded the IB MYP Innovator Grant (2022), becoming the first person with a disability to receive it, in recognition of her efforts toward inclusive education and advocacy. She has contributed as a youth panelist at UNICEF India’s National Consultation on Adolescent Mental Health in Bhopal.
As Brand Ambassador for the Down Syndrome Federation of India, Unnathi advocates for acceptance and representation, and has also acted in the film CRAZXY, challenging stereotypes around disability. She has shared her journey through a TEDx Talk and her own podcast and YouTube platform.
A trained Kuchipudi dancer, she also enjoys table tennis and yoga. Her recent UNICEF field visit to Surat and her World Down Syndrome Day engagement in 2026 further deepened her commitment to inclusion and child well-being.
